Bit.



No. 721,894. PATENTED MAR. s, 1903.

' W. 0. JOHNSON.

, BIT..

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, 1901.

Nb MODEL.

I W Ixyhgior UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

FOURTHS TO LUCIUS O. JOHNS ON, MELVEL L. CHARLES F. JOHNSON, OFOSKALOOSA, KANSAS.

CRITOHFIELD, AND,

BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letterslatent No. 721,894, dated March 3,1903.

Application filed November I4, 1901. Serial No. 82,327. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Winchester, in the county of J eiferson and State of Kansas,have invented a new and useful Bit, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in curb-bits adapted forriding or driving, and has for its principal object to construct a bitwhich may be securely held in position and which will besufficiently'powerful to check a vicious animal with the exercise ofcomparatively small force.

With this and other objects in view the invention consists in the novelconstruction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustratedin the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in theappended claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a riding-bitconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a transversesectional elevation of the same. 3 is a perspective View of a bit ofslightlymodified construction and more especially adapted for use whendriving. 7

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents op} positely-disposedcheek-plates having central openings 2 for the reception of theheadstall of the bridle and provided also with laterally-extended arms3, the extreme end portions of which are bent inwardly and provided withsuitable openings 4 for the reception of a nose-band 5.

In the lower ends of the cheek-platesare' openings through which extendthe opposite ends of a straight or curved mouth-bar 6, and secured to orformed integral with said mouthbar are side bars or levers 7, the lowerends I of which are provided with rings 8 for thereception of the endsof the reins. The upper portion of the side bars 7 is curved, beingsubstantially semicircular inform, and the extreme end of each bar isprovided with a slot or opening 9, in which may be secured a Fig.

jaw-strap 10, the strap being adjustable and fitted around the lower jawof the animal.

Projecting in wardly from each of the cheekplates is 'a stop-pin 11,which engages with the adjacent side bar or lever 7 and prevents the bitfrom turning in the horses mouth and the disengagement of the jaw-strapfrom its adjusted position under the lower jaw of the animal.

The bit is held'in position vertically by the headstalls or cheek-strapsof the bridle, and any lateral displacement of the cheek-plate isprevented by the nose-band 5, so that the bit will at all times beproperly supported in position and in readiness for use. As themouth-bar and side arms are rigidly secured together, a pulling strainon the lower ends'of the side arms will result in the clamping of the'jower jaw between the mouth-bar and the jaw-strap l0, and sufficientforce may be exerted to check a wild or vicious animal, while at thesame time a gentle horse may be guided without undue severity.

When the device is employed for driving purposes, the cheek-plates 1, asindicated at Fig. 3, are provided With rings 2, to which may be securedthe headstall and check or gag reins, the bit being thus properlysupported in position.

While the construction herein described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings,presents the device in its preferred form, it isobvious that changes may be made in the form, proportions, size, andminor details without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of my invention.

. Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim isi v The combinationin a curb-bit, of the oppositely-disposed cheek-plates adapted to befirmly secured to the head of the animal, inwardly-projecting stop-pins,secured to said cheek-plates, a mouth-bar swiveled in the lower ends ofsaid cheek-plates, depending side arms or levers carried by themouth-bar In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I havehereto affixed my signature in 10 I the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM C. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

L. C. MEREDITH, F. W. COLEMAN.

